Venomous animals in Mississippi
The ones that need the most respect: cottonmouth, timber rattlesnake, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, eastern coral snake. A bite from any of them is a medical emergency.
- 4 dangerous
- 4 medically significant
- 1 painful, rarely serious
Where they turn up in Mississippi
- None recorded
- 1 species
- 2
- 3 to 4
- 5 or more
Venomous snakes in Mississippi
CottonmouthDangerous309 records, 36 counties
Timber rattlesnakeDangerous51 records, 19 counties
Eastern diamondback rattlesnakeDangerous34 records, 9 counties
Eastern coral snakeDangerous17 records, 5 counties
CopperheadMedically significant97 records, 19 counties
Pygmy rattlesnakeMedically significant69 records, 11 counties
Venomous snakes in Mississippi: map, photos and look-alikes
Venomous spiders in Mississippi
Black widowMedically significant31 records, 12 counties
Brown recluseMedically significant7 records, 5 counties
Brown widowPainful, rarely serious5 records, 3 counties
Venomous spiders in Mississippi: map, photos and look-alikes
When they are out
- Venomous snakes
- Venomous spiders
Recorded, but not living here
- Rare records Texas coral snake 1 open record
- Rare records Southern devil scorpion 1 open record
A rare record means someone found or reported the animal once or a few times, but there is no known population. Many are strays, pets or hitchhikers in cargo.
Harmless look-alikes in Mississippi
- Brown Recluse vs Wolf Spider Wolf spider is harmless
- Cottonmouth vs Water Snake Water snake is harmless
- Coral Snake vs Milk Snake Milk snake is harmless
- Copperhead vs Northern Water Snake Northern water snake is harmless
- Cottonmouth vs Banded Water Snake Banded water snake is harmless
- Copperhead vs Corn Snake Corn snake is harmless
- Copperhead vs Rat Snake Rat snake is harmless
- Copperhead vs Milk Snake Milk snake is harmless
- Brown Recluse vs Southern House Spider Southern house spider is harmless
- Cottonmouth vs Diamondback Water Snake Diamondback water snake is harmless
- Coral Snake vs Scarlet Snake Scarlet snake is harmless
- Pygmy Rattlesnake vs Hognose Snake Eastern hognose snake is harmless
- Copperhead vs Hognose Snake Eastern hognose snake is harmless
Quick answers for Mississippi
- Lives here Rattlesnakes
- Lives here Copperheads
- Lives here Cottonmouths
- Lives here Coral snakes
- Lives here Brown recluses
- Lives here Black widows
Questions
How many venomous snakes live in Mississippi?
6 species: Cottonmouth, Timber rattlesnake, Eastern diamondback rattlesnake, Eastern coral snake, Copperhead and Pygmy rattlesnake.
Are there brown recluse spiders in Mississippi?
Yes. The brown recluse lives in Mississippi. Open records come from 5 counties.
Are there scorpions in Mississippi?
Only rare records, no known population.
When are venomous animals most active in Mississippi?
Most open records from Mississippi fall in April to August. Records follow when people are outdoors too, so treat this as a guide, not a rule.
What should I do after a bite or sting?
Call 911 for any venomous snakebite or a severe reaction. For spider bites and scorpion stings, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222, free and open 24/7.